This chapter starts by demonstrating the puzzle posed by the case of the JDP in Turkey and raising the following questions: what kind of political circumstances paved the way for the rise of the JDP? More importantly, what kinds of strategic choices and actions of JDP politicians substantially contributed to the party’s unprecedented electoral achievements and political resilience, and, eventually, to its transformation into a hegemonic/dominant party in Turkey? Then, the chapter proceeds to theoretically locate the puzzle within the literatures on Islamist parties, populism and authoritarianism. After examining the currently available literature on the rise and electoral achievements of the party and the emergence of a competitive authoritarian regime in Turkey, the chapter asserts the importance of focusing on the agency of the JDP (i.e. the strategic actions and choices of its elite), rather than on structural economic, social and political factors. Without the proper strategic choices and actions, neither the convenient economic and social circumstances nor the redistributive or repressive tactics alone would have created the consent and popular legitimacy that helped the JDP elite to drive Turkey to become a competitive authoritarian regime. The chapter also elaborates on the research design and methodology.